Billy Ferguson/Fourth Estate
BY MONICA ECHOLS, CULTURE EDITOR
DEAR IVY,
The semester has not yet started, and already I am feeling stressed. For months now, I have been applying for internships in different companies, yet I have not received a positive response so far. I am starting to feel worried and discouraged, especially since I feel that time is starting to run out. Do you have any advice that may help me?
Thanks,
–WORRIED STUDENT
DEAR WORRIED STUDENT,
Believe me when I tell you I know how frustrating it is to apply for a position and get rejected. Applying for a job or an internship is often a grueling process.
However, the most important thing to remember is that you are not in this alone. Everyone has faced or is currently facing a similar situation. Even the most accomplished people in the world have all had times when they were not succeeding, or were flat out failing.
You can also increase your chances by visiting the Career Center in Sub 1. Have them help you polish both your resume and cover letter so that you appear better to employers.
Also, try visiting the internship coordinator. They might give you some advice on how to stand out better next to all the other applicants.
Another piece of advice I have for you is that you might want to try and reach out to employers in a different way. Instead of just sending in your application and waiting for a response, try emailing people in the company that you are interested in and show them that you are serious about wanting this internship.
In addition, if said company is located nearby, maybe try visiting it and asking to meet with someone from HR. Sometimes, putting a face next to the resume helps them remember you better. I actually had a friend who found a job by going to different hotels and handing out his resume to managers.
No matter what happens, do not get discouraged. Keep applying to as many places as you can find.
If you still do not get into an internship like you were hoping to, try thinking outside of the box and doing something else. Maybe try learning a skill that you could put on your resume for the future, or perhaps get a temporary job at some place that is related to something you want to do or are interested in working at in the future.
Good luck, and I wish you all the best in your search.
